Programma Televisivo: Stargate Atlantis - 1x6
Anything look familiar to you Teyla?
No, I do not think this is a world I have visited before.
Without landmarks, how can you tell?
It is difficult by air, but every world is unique in it's own way.
I've heard a lot of reports from SG teams, on missions like this one.
Specifically the mission reports of Colonel Samantha Carter.
She and I worked together to avert global catastrophe a few years back, and she and I...
What was I saying?
Mission reports.
Right.
Well apparently, there's remarkable similarities between worlds that support life.
It makes sense really For example, the colour of the sky, which is a product...
What was that?
Turbulence?
Seems to be ok now.
I wonder what that was?
Getting seriously conflicting readings.
Looks like some sort of powerful energy field, about 2000 yards over there.
Over where?
18 degrees from our correct heading.
Is it worth checking out?
Any significant energy reading, generally means technological civilisation.
So you think it's worth checking out.
I'm sorry.
Yes.
Energy field good.
Maybe not It's getting worse.
That's enough, I'm getting out of here.
We're not gaining any altitude.
Controls are unresponsive.
The drive just went offline.
We're going in!
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com Transcript: Suzanna and Tara Season 1: Episode 6 Childhood's End Nice landing sir.
Thankyou What happened?
We got too close to the energy field.
Who's idea was that?
You made mistakes, I made mistakes.
Let's not get caught in the blame game.
Ok, can you fix the ship or not?
None of my diagnostic equipment is working.
The sun is still high in the sky.
What does that mean?
We can make it back to the Stargate before dark.
If we intend to leave, we should start now.
Zelenka and you can return to fix it?
No, no, no Major.
You don't understand.
It's not just the jumper.
None of my equipment is working either.
Alright.
Let's gear up.
Check it out sir.
I think my compass has gone wonky.
You brought a magnetic compass to another planet in another galaxy?
You have absolutely no way of knowing if this planets magnetic field is...
Wait a second.
Let me see that.
The disturbance is electro-magnetic.
That probably explains why all our equipment is out.
Which direction is the gate?
You were the one flying.
Shouldn't you know?
Alright.
Should be able to figure this out.
I believe it is this way.
Let's move out.
Hey!
Can we go that way for a bit?
Why?
Lt Ford's compass is acting weird.
We may be onto something.
I'm glad I brought it along.
How prescient of you.
Didn't fly over this on the way in did we?
I don't know.
I was kinda busy with the whole trying not to get us killed thing.
These ruins are very old.
Several hundred years at least, I'd say, maybe more.
So the population here's extinct?
Check this out.
Ok, I give up.
Well if the disturbance is man made instead of naturally occurring, it's probably emanating from within these ruins.
Somewhere over there.
Well if we find it, can we shut it off?
Well it's worth a shut.
If we can shut down the field, we can walk back to the gate.
I was thinking of saving a perfectly good puddle jumper.
That too.
Alright guys.
Let's stay here for a second, see if McKay can...
They're kids Ford.
Yeah, with weapons pointed at us.
Lower your weapon Lt.
Hey kids.
We're not here to harm you in any way.
That's right.
What she she said.
We're friendly, ok?
We arrived through the Stargate.
We were only trying to return home.
I don't think they understand.
I believe they do.
They're still pointing arrows at us.
You're full grown.
Excuse me?
You need to see the elders Elders.
Sounds good.
Just lead the way.
Full growns?
Major Now where did they get that?
It looks like a shrine You don't think they worship the Wraith do you?
That would be a first.
It would be disturbing.
Wraith bones.
Yeah, we know It's death boat fell out of the sky, years ago.
We keep it here to remind us of how life used to be.
Used to be?
Before Fell out of sky.
Yeah, I picked up on that.
You think whatever knocked us down, knocked it down?
It's possible.
If that's the case, we need to find it.
Why?
Because anything powerful enough to knock out a Wraith dart?
It's a big deal.
Yeah, that would be nice to have.
The elders are ready.
Hi, nice to meet you.
I am Karris.
One of the village elders I'm Sheppard, and this is Rodney and Teyla and...
Did you say you were one of the elders?
Yes How old are you?
24 That makes you an elder?
How did you get here Sheppard?
We used the Stargate to travel from our world, to visit yours.
You do know of the Stargate.
It's a big round...
thing.
No-one has come through the well for nearly 500 years.
Yeah well, here's the thing.
We're a little lost.
And you are all older than 24.
Ford?
How old are you?
25 sir.
I guess so.
Is that a problem?
Please, sit.
They are trespassers Karris, we don't have to explain ourselves.
I apologise.
You are familiar with the Wraith?
Yes Well we're not friends or anything like that.
The Wraith used to farm our planet.
As we used to farm livestock and beasts of burden.
Only we were their herd.
Yeah, they seem to do that everywhere.
Our ancestors fought them, but our weapons were not strong enough.
Our people tried to hide from them, but they were always found.
None died peacefully.
None could enter into the eternal rest.
Eternal rest?
To die at the hands of the Wraith.
To breathe your last breath amongst such hatred and evil.
There is no way to move peacefully into the next world, when that is your fate.
My ancestors decided that to beat the Wraith, we must learn to think as they think.
We ensure that we never provide the Wraith with a crop worth picking.
By?
None of us passes the age of 24.
How do you manage that?
On the eve of our 25th year, we make the sacrifice.
Both for our people and for our own safe passage into the eternal rest.
What?
You kill each other?
No.
We take our own lives.
And so the Wraith have not returned for nearly 500 years.
Never in my life have I ever felt so old.
This is without a doubt, the most screwed up way of life I can imagine.
They seem to accept it.
They're kids, what do they know?
Kids that don't want to keep us around.
Because they believe our presence may bring back the Wraith.
They can't be right can they?
What the Wraith just ignore them, because they're young?
Reminds me of veal.
Can't be the same thing can it?
Of course not.
Veal is delicious.
The Wraith don't come by anymore, because when their darts fly close to the villages, the electro magnetic field takes them out.
Much like what happened to our Puddle Jumper.
Why do they not just land outside the disturbance and take the village by foot?
I'm sorry, perhaps I'm not being clear.
Nothing works here!
Not their stunners, their darts.
Even their shields wouldn't function correctly.
I mean, why would they risk their advantage, when there's a smorgasbord, through some other stargate?
Our guns work though, right?
Because they're relatively primitive.
They don't generate an EM field.
We must tell them.
Not before I've had a chance to look at those ruins, we don't.
They're sacrificing themselves for no reason.
What are we going to tell them Teyla?
Listen kiddies, everything you believe to be true is wrong, and trust us, because we've been here for almost an hour.
We've talked it over.
You can stay until you've fixed your ship.
But you must work quickly.
Your being here makes our people uncomfortable.
That's fair enough.
We'll work as quickly as we can.
There may have been something in the ruins where you picked us up that, caused us to lose control of our ship.
They should be watched at all times.
No, no, no, that's fine.
Totally understandable.
I'll choose two of the villagers to keep an eye on you.
Casta say's you're 100 years old.
Are you?
Who's Casta?
Me.
Where are you getting your information Casta?
Why are you going to the old city?
I gotta check something.
What kind of thing?
It's grown up stuff.
What's a grown up.
Someone that's older than you are.
I'm 3 years older than Claire.
You can tell me.
Nice try, but you're not a grown up.
But you just said, someone that's older than me is a grown up.
I don't need you to tell me what I just said, ok?
Ok So, why are we going to the old city?
Ford, a little help here.
What are you talking about?
You're a natural.
Let's see how long we can be quiet.
Who can be quiet the longest, huh?
Well, I'm not a quiet person.
That's not quiet.
That's talking.
Well I'm not a quiet person.
I talk a lot.
You have young?
Me?
No.
Not yet anyway.
You?
Oh yes.
They're raised in one of the other villages.
Other villages?
To keep family lines apart.
God.
How many villages are there like this?
Twelve.
There are few larger than this one, but, more smaller in number.
And they all make the sacrifice?
Yes.
We all do.
As have the many before.
No-one ever...
What?
Well, decides not to go through with it.
Takes off.
Runs away.
There has been hesitation.
I bet.
We can be persuasive when the time comes.
I know what that means Look, I gotta tell you.
I don't understand this at all.
Where I come from, we value life more than almost anything else.
Lt Ford, he's just a year older than you.
Do you know what he would have missed out on if his life was over a year ago?
We're not all that different.
It's just that I would rather have 24 years of peace, than a life of fear.
What if there's another way.
Naturally, when the time comes.
The time comes.
Well of course it does, that's part of living a life.
I mean for me.
Tomorrows the first day of my 25th year.
Tomorrow?
Yes.
That's why I lead the council of elders.
I'm oldest among the 24's.
You mean tomorrow you um...
Tonight.
Tonight?
Our rule was put in place long ago, and it works.
It is not for me to question it.
Tonight I die.
How many?
Four.
They claim they're alone, but we can't be sure.
There may be more.
And you've given them time to repair the ship?
Against my strong objection, yes.
So this is Karris.
Who should be readying himself for sacrifice, not troubling with the full growns.
I will be the eldest by tomorrow, but that may be too late.
What do you want to do?
They came through the Wraith well, Louise.
If they stay, the Wraith may come back, and all our sacrifice may be for nothing.
This calls for action.
They must be forced to leave.
I need time to talk to the other villages.
We have little of it.
You know the laws, Aries.
It's bad enough we're leaving Karris out of this.
A forced sacrifice must be agreed upon, by all the villages.
Leave us!
Talk with who you need to talk.
I will give them until the end of this day to leave.
If they do not...
Hey, hey.
Coming through.
Thankyou.
What's that?
It's a compass What's that?
Used for determining direction, on Earth.
I'm using it to...
Where's Earth?
Listen, Cleo?
Casta Whatever.
Aren't you supposed to be observing.
Understand what that means?
Observing?
Observing?
It means you're supposed to watch.
You're supposed to stay out of my way and watch.
Why?
Because Because why?
Because I say so.
Why?
Because I can't get any work done, with you two buzzing around asking stupid questions, with your stupid little voices.
Now sit down and shut up!
Oh don't.
Don't.
You're mean Thankyou for finally noticing.
Ok, you wanna go?
You wanna go, huh?
Ok, ok, ok.
You've got a real gift with the kids, there.
Do you do birthday parties?
Look, I have a purpose here.
You deal with them.
Excuse me, thankyou.
It's ok.
It's ok.
He's just upset because you're smarter than him.
You guys know what chocolate is?
No?
This is gonna be huge.
Come on, we're gonna go over here, and we're gonna leave the mean old man alone.
Oh yeah.
Ok.
Hello hello.
Really Good.
Hmmm More?
Major!
McKay?
The radio's working.
Which is how I'm able to speak with you, yes.
You have a second?
Tell me you found the field generator.
I found the field generator.
Obviously the off switch.
Better than that.
The device is powered by a Zero Point Module.
It's definitely the Em field has been online for centuries.
As far as I know, only a ZPm is capable of powering it for that long.
I've shut it down.
Everything is working now.
You've disabled the shield?
Just temporarily.
I need to get the ZPM back to Atlantis.
See if it's worth taking.
We cannot just take it.
It is their only source of protection against the Wraith.
There's no evidence that the Wraith have been here in years.
Besides, this is a fully functioning ZPM.
We could bring them all back to Atlantis.
How hard could that be?
Hard, but, a ZPM could make a lot of problems go away.
Exactly, I need to get it back to a lab.
How do you plan on doing that?
Well I've had the gene innoculation and you've already given me a flying lesson.
It's gonna take more than a shot in the arm and a flying lesson.
Listen, I'm not gonna be dogfighting Wraith darts.
Ford and I can handle it.
All right.
Fine, you can go.
But get back to me before tonight?
We sort of have a deadline.
Right I think it is dangerous to leave the villages unprotected.
The kids got a point.
The Wraith haven't been around in a very long time.
This is reckless Major.
You must see that.
Common, what are the odds they're going to show up...
...in the few hours it takes McKay to run those tests?
Why were the guides sent back to the village?
Were they?
Yeah, they were.
Must have been nap time.
You think this is a joke, Sheppard?
I don't find much that's going on around here, to be funny.
What's wrong?
Two of the full growns are out on watch.
It's fine Aries.
You should be getting ready for tonight, Karris.
The cleansing ceremony is set to begin, and you haven't...
Fine!
I'll go ready myself.
What were they talking about?
He's supposed to sacrifice himself tonight.
Karris?
I tried to talk him out of it.
If we tell them about the field that protects their villages I'm working on that, but we can't do anything until we figure out what to do with the ZPM.
This is a very bad call Rodney Why?
You just told me that this ZPM empowers their defences against the Wraith.
Yep.
You don't see the problem with stealing it?
It wouldn't be stealing so much as...
Look if it's any good to us, we can bring them here.
Alright, for one We don't even know how many of them there are.
Well I highly doubt there'd be more than a few hundred.
What?
Hey, we're barely getting by here ourselves This is a big empty city, and we have the mainland now.
Rodney, we can't just visit planets, take away their defences, Look if it's any good to us, we can bring them here to Atlantis.
If they have a ZPM, yes we can.
Oh my god, how morally superior you must feel.
Elizabeth, they live in trees.
Atlantis would be a big step up for them.
Plus they could stop killing themselves for no good reason.
Are they killing themselves for no good reason?
Yes they are.
The EM shield is what's keeping the Wraith away.
Not the sacrificing.
Ok, you said that the sacrifices began at about the same time, you think the shield went online.
More or less So if the people that built the shield are the same people that implemented the suicide pact, perhaps the two things aren't as disconnected as you think.
Maybe.
One more day, that's all I need.
I'll have a much clearer picture then.
A picture of what?
Long story.
Stick around and I'll tell you.
I'll be honest with you Sheppard.
There's nothing I'd like more, than to spend more time talking with you.
But it's not possible.
What if you're wrong?
What if a day doesn't matter?
What if a year doesn't matter?
And what if it does?
I'd never rest peacefully knowing that I was the reason the Wraith came to this planet.
You could live a full life.
You're a warrior among your people.
One who is trained to defend and protect them.
I guess you could say that.
Would you not willingly give your life if it were necessary?
It'd have to be really necessary.
How is the sacrifice so different?
So this is just gonna go on forever.
As long as the Wraith don't return.
Yes.
Would you stand witness?
Me?
Well what do I have to do.
Just be there as I prepare.
We gather the strength from those close to us, for the sacrifice to come.
Dr Weir.
The bad news, is it looks like the device harnesses M7G677 unique electro magnetic field.
It probably wouldn't work for us.
Assuming we were considering stealing it.
Not much point to that either.
The ZPM is almost depleted.
So it's worthless?
I wouldn't say that.
It's enough to give us the shield at full power for a few hours, which would be handy if the Wraith were to attack.
Now it can continue what it's being doing for quite some time but...
So it's of more worth to them, than it is to us.
Probably.
Definitely!
Fine.
There's another thing.
Uh-huh?
I think I have a theory about the suicide pact.
Yeah, what is it?
I'm not sure how much power this thing had to start with, but whoever built the EM device, knew it wouldn't be able to power the field, large enough to cover the whole planet for very long.
So it was built to protect a smaller area.
More or less, the area around the villages.
But if the population got much larger than they are now, there's a chance the kids would move out of the field and become susceptible to a Wraith attack.
So the suicide pact is...
Population control.
Wow, that's a little severe.
A little?
The point is that they believe if they die in fear and turmoil, they don't get to go to their version of heaven.
Now while this, at the very least, guarantee's that they die in peace, it's a...
well it's a religion, and a pretty ridiculous one at that.
Well that's not a judgement that we can make for them.
No?
No No No, and I'd like you and Lt Ford to return the ZPM, and get their device back online.
Sheppard, it's McKay.
This is Teyla.
Major Sheppard is unavailable.
What does that mean?
Karris has asked him to take part in the cleansing ceremony.
That doesn't sound good.
Are you back?
Ford and I are back in the old city.
I'm just going to put the ZPM back.
Good, I'll let Major Sheppard know.
I've parked the Jumper outside the EM field, so we'll leave as soon as I've finished.
Teyla!
Major Sheppard has found a Wraith bracelet that has already begun transmitting.
We need that field returned, as soon as possible.
Stop him!
I'm sorry, I had to do that.
McKay.
We need it on, now!
Move!
I'm coming!
Well what are you waiting for?
That should be it.
That should be what?
Far be it for me to cause a panic.
What did you do?
What did you do?
I think there's the slightest possibility, that in my haste, I might have broken it.
How dare you defile our remembrance.
It was necessary.
Necessary?
You broke the laws, you must be punished.
It's not up to you Aries.
Neither is it up to you anymore.
You've had enough time.
You must fix your ship and go!
How long do they expect us to play chance with our lives?
Every second a full grown is in our village, is a second we are no longer safe from the Wraith.
They must leave now.
I'll take you to the well.
You're not safe here.
McKay and Ford are in the woods.
We'll pick them up on the way.
Has he put the ZPM back?
There's been a setback.
What did McKay do?
Friends!
Please!
The full growns have agreed to leave and never come back.
I will take them to the well, myself.
All this will be over soon, and we can get on with the ceremony.
Make sure they get there.
Please tell me you have this working.
I don't know what I did.
These things just usually plug and play.
This device must be using a different window.
Get to the point.
What I'm saying is, there is a sequence to installing a ZPM, that I haven't got yet.
None of that matters now, just grab what you can and come with me.
Aries will be sending men behind us.
What made the bracelet start broadcasting?
I do not think it was anything we did.
It's possible it was like an emergency beacon that activated when the dart crashed.
The EM field's been keeping it quiet ever since.
It must have begun transmitting as soon as McKay turned off the field.
Listen to me.
We have to move on now!
We cannot do that.
Karris, this is hard to explain, but we can't go anywhere till we fix this device.
We You'll just have to abandon your ship.
You're risking your lives if you stay.
This is not about our ship.
This is about the protection of your villages.
What?
Karris, the reason our ship went down.
The reason the Wraith dart crashed so long ago, is because of this device.
It renders all electro magnetic based technology inside the shield, inert.
I don't understand.
What they're saying is that the Wraith didn't stay away because of your sacrifices.
They stayed away because of this shield.
That can't be true.
It's not entirely true actually.
The shield doesn't protect the whole planet, it doesn't have enough power.
I believe the idea of the sacrifice, was brought in so that your society never left the confines of the shield.
Look, the sacrifices play a part in your survival, but not for the reasons you believe.
That's impossible.
I can prove it to you.
But you have to give us time to bring this device back online.
Karris is weak.
I doubt his oath to the sacrifice.
The full growns have clouded his judgement.
They've stopped in the old city and are not moving on.
Get the bows and the spears.
We will rid ourselves of them now, once and for all!
Coming through, coming through.
Excuse me.
Alright.
And again, still in the way, thankyou.
This will never work.
We don't have much of a choice.
This is not the well, Karris It's my fault.
We just received word from McKay, that our ship's just been repaired.
In fact, he's back there right now, waiting for us.
We were just saying goodbye to Karris.
You think I am a fool?
No.
I just think you're a little cranky.
Look!
If you want to escort us back to the ship, you can watch us leave.
Lead the way.
Oh, you scared me!
You scared us!
I'm sorry.
That's ok.
We came to see if you left any chocolate.
Yes, yes, of course.
What?
Oh, you want some.
Ok, well you can have this, but you gotta promise to let me work ok?
Ok.
All right.
Quietly.
Do you intend to leave McKay behind?
We'll circle around until he get's the device back on.
He'll show up.
It's too late.
We're too late!
What the hell was that?
It was too small to be a dart.
It was a probe of some kind.
Probably came to check out the signal from the Wraith bracelet.
We have to take it down before it gets back to the gate.
Boys?
Let us take that probe down, or we're all in deep trouble.
Even if you were able to destroy it, more will come That is not true Why do you think they're here Sheppard?
You.
The Wraith have sensed a crop worth harvesting, and they've come to claim it.
Karris, tell them, that we gotta take this thing down, before it get's back to the Stargate.
Where's the other full grown?
Aries, there's a device that shields us from the machines of the Wraith.
The sacrifices might have been...
He'll be in the old city, go!
Aries, listen to me.
You've let your fear of the sacrifice, put our entire people in danger, Karris.
You have been protected from the Wraith, by a shield.
We turned it off by accident.
But the good news is, that if we get it back up, the Wraith will never come again.
There's only one thing I have to do, to make sure the Wraith never come again.
Kill you.
Come on.
Somebody is coming.
What is this?
You must come with us now!
I can't do that.
Listen!
I need to finish my work here.
I've seen how the Wraith deal with other planets, and they don't care how old you are.
I need to get this device turned on, and I am so close to figuring it out.
So just give me one more shot.
Look, both of you.
Go to your rooms!
You're not buying this are you?
Hey, psst.
Come on, come on.
No.
Sir.
I don't like where this is headed.
Easy Ford.
Nobody's shooting just yet.
Yet...
And nobody's going to either.
Aries, you have no idea what you're up against here.
The weapons we carry are more powerful than any you have ever seen.
She's telling the truth.
They do more than make a lot of noise, they will kill you.
It works.
Of course it works.
I must tell Aries.
Come with us.
Hey, you guys ok?
Head back to the village, you're going to be fine.
Your presence has brought the Wraith.
All our ancestors sacrifices, you've undone!
All because you refused to leave when you were told to.
It's not that simple.
Yeah it is that simple Aries, no!
Karris!
Sir!
Hold your fire!
Look what you've done.
He's as guilty as you are.
Ford?
Ready sir.
We will defend ourselves.
And believe me, you don't want that.
Archers ready!
It works!
Aries!
It works!
The device works!
The device they speak of is real.
I've seen it.
What?
McKay fixed it and the Wraith bird fell right out of the sky.
That doesn't matter.
Aries!
It works.
You alright McKay?
Gotta catch my breath.
Get the medical kit from the jumper.
It'll be ok.
Was able to boost the coverage by over 50% without much of a power increase, so there should be enough for a sizeable population growth.
Thank you.
But you have no idea how long the shield will last?
There's no way of knowing, but there's a good chance you'll be grandparents before it goes.
We'll be happy to come back and check in on you every now and again.
In fact Ford will be happy to come back and explain how to be a 25 year old.
I'll look forward to it.
You'll have to get used to a few things, now that everything's changing around here.
But we can talk about that next time we visit.
Just promise me you'll stick around.
I will.
Have all the villages agreed to suspend the sacrifices?
It will require us to change some laws, but for now...
Yes.
Sir Oh right, here What's this?
Well where we're from, you get presents when you turn a year older.
See him, there.
Happy birthday.
There you go One for you.
No, I do not think this is a world I have visited before.
Without landmarks, how can you tell?
It is difficult by air, but every world is unique in it's own way.
I've heard a lot of reports from SG teams, on missions like this one.
Specifically the mission reports of Colonel Samantha Carter.
She and I worked together to avert global catastrophe a few years back, and she and I...
What was I saying?
Mission reports.
Right.
Well apparently, there's remarkable similarities between worlds that support life.
It makes sense really For example, the colour of the sky, which is a product...
What was that?
Turbulence?
Seems to be ok now.
I wonder what that was?
Getting seriously conflicting readings.
Looks like some sort of powerful energy field, about 2000 yards over there.
Over where?
18 degrees from our correct heading.
Is it worth checking out?
Any significant energy reading, generally means technological civilisation.
So you think it's worth checking out.
I'm sorry.
Yes.
Energy field good.
Maybe not It's getting worse.
That's enough, I'm getting out of here.
We're not gaining any altitude.
Controls are unresponsive.
The drive just went offline.
We're going in!
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com Transcript: Suzanna and Tara Season 1: Episode 6 Childhood's End Nice landing sir.
Thankyou What happened?
We got too close to the energy field.
Who's idea was that?
You made mistakes, I made mistakes.
Let's not get caught in the blame game.
Ok, can you fix the ship or not?
None of my diagnostic equipment is working.
The sun is still high in the sky.
What does that mean?
We can make it back to the Stargate before dark.
If we intend to leave, we should start now.
Zelenka and you can return to fix it?
No, no, no Major.
You don't understand.
It's not just the jumper.
None of my equipment is working either.
Alright.
Let's gear up.
Check it out sir.
I think my compass has gone wonky.
You brought a magnetic compass to another planet in another galaxy?
You have absolutely no way of knowing if this planets magnetic field is...
Wait a second.
Let me see that.
The disturbance is electro-magnetic.
That probably explains why all our equipment is out.
Which direction is the gate?
You were the one flying.
Shouldn't you know?
Alright.
Should be able to figure this out.
I believe it is this way.
Let's move out.
Hey!
Can we go that way for a bit?
Why?
Lt Ford's compass is acting weird.
We may be onto something.
I'm glad I brought it along.
How prescient of you.
Didn't fly over this on the way in did we?
I don't know.
I was kinda busy with the whole trying not to get us killed thing.
These ruins are very old.
Several hundred years at least, I'd say, maybe more.
So the population here's extinct?
Check this out.
Ok, I give up.
Well if the disturbance is man made instead of naturally occurring, it's probably emanating from within these ruins.
Somewhere over there.
Well if we find it, can we shut it off?
Well it's worth a shut.
If we can shut down the field, we can walk back to the gate.
I was thinking of saving a perfectly good puddle jumper.
That too.
Alright guys.
Let's stay here for a second, see if McKay can...
They're kids Ford.
Yeah, with weapons pointed at us.
Lower your weapon Lt.
Hey kids.
We're not here to harm you in any way.
That's right.
What she she said.
We're friendly, ok?
We arrived through the Stargate.
We were only trying to return home.
I don't think they understand.
I believe they do.
They're still pointing arrows at us.
You're full grown.
Excuse me?
You need to see the elders Elders.
Sounds good.
Just lead the way.
Full growns?
Major Now where did they get that?
It looks like a shrine You don't think they worship the Wraith do you?
That would be a first.
It would be disturbing.
Wraith bones.
Yeah, we know It's death boat fell out of the sky, years ago.
We keep it here to remind us of how life used to be.
Used to be?
Before Fell out of sky.
Yeah, I picked up on that.
You think whatever knocked us down, knocked it down?
It's possible.
If that's the case, we need to find it.
Why?
Because anything powerful enough to knock out a Wraith dart?
It's a big deal.
Yeah, that would be nice to have.
The elders are ready.
Hi, nice to meet you.
I am Karris.
One of the village elders I'm Sheppard, and this is Rodney and Teyla and...
Did you say you were one of the elders?
Yes How old are you?
24 That makes you an elder?
How did you get here Sheppard?
We used the Stargate to travel from our world, to visit yours.
You do know of the Stargate.
It's a big round...
thing.
No-one has come through the well for nearly 500 years.
Yeah well, here's the thing.
We're a little lost.
And you are all older than 24.
Ford?
How old are you?
25 sir.
I guess so.
Is that a problem?
Please, sit.
They are trespassers Karris, we don't have to explain ourselves.
I apologise.
You are familiar with the Wraith?
Yes Well we're not friends or anything like that.
The Wraith used to farm our planet.
As we used to farm livestock and beasts of burden.
Only we were their herd.
Yeah, they seem to do that everywhere.
Our ancestors fought them, but our weapons were not strong enough.
Our people tried to hide from them, but they were always found.
None died peacefully.
None could enter into the eternal rest.
Eternal rest?
To die at the hands of the Wraith.
To breathe your last breath amongst such hatred and evil.
There is no way to move peacefully into the next world, when that is your fate.
My ancestors decided that to beat the Wraith, we must learn to think as they think.
We ensure that we never provide the Wraith with a crop worth picking.
By?
None of us passes the age of 24.
How do you manage that?
On the eve of our 25th year, we make the sacrifice.
Both for our people and for our own safe passage into the eternal rest.
What?
You kill each other?
No.
We take our own lives.
And so the Wraith have not returned for nearly 500 years.
Never in my life have I ever felt so old.
This is without a doubt, the most screwed up way of life I can imagine.
They seem to accept it.
They're kids, what do they know?
Kids that don't want to keep us around.
Because they believe our presence may bring back the Wraith.
They can't be right can they?
What the Wraith just ignore them, because they're young?
Reminds me of veal.
Can't be the same thing can it?
Of course not.
Veal is delicious.
The Wraith don't come by anymore, because when their darts fly close to the villages, the electro magnetic field takes them out.
Much like what happened to our Puddle Jumper.
Why do they not just land outside the disturbance and take the village by foot?
I'm sorry, perhaps I'm not being clear.
Nothing works here!
Not their stunners, their darts.
Even their shields wouldn't function correctly.
I mean, why would they risk their advantage, when there's a smorgasbord, through some other stargate?
Our guns work though, right?
Because they're relatively primitive.
They don't generate an EM field.
We must tell them.
Not before I've had a chance to look at those ruins, we don't.
They're sacrificing themselves for no reason.
What are we going to tell them Teyla?
Listen kiddies, everything you believe to be true is wrong, and trust us, because we've been here for almost an hour.
We've talked it over.
You can stay until you've fixed your ship.
But you must work quickly.
Your being here makes our people uncomfortable.
That's fair enough.
We'll work as quickly as we can.
There may have been something in the ruins where you picked us up that, caused us to lose control of our ship.
They should be watched at all times.
No, no, no, that's fine.
Totally understandable.
I'll choose two of the villagers to keep an eye on you.
Casta say's you're 100 years old.
Are you?
Who's Casta?
Me.
Where are you getting your information Casta?
Why are you going to the old city?
I gotta check something.
What kind of thing?
It's grown up stuff.
What's a grown up.
Someone that's older than you are.
I'm 3 years older than Claire.
You can tell me.
Nice try, but you're not a grown up.
But you just said, someone that's older than me is a grown up.
I don't need you to tell me what I just said, ok?
Ok So, why are we going to the old city?
Ford, a little help here.
What are you talking about?
You're a natural.
Let's see how long we can be quiet.
Who can be quiet the longest, huh?
Well, I'm not a quiet person.
That's not quiet.
That's talking.
Well I'm not a quiet person.
I talk a lot.
You have young?
Me?
No.
Not yet anyway.
You?
Oh yes.
They're raised in one of the other villages.
Other villages?
To keep family lines apart.
God.
How many villages are there like this?
Twelve.
There are few larger than this one, but, more smaller in number.
And they all make the sacrifice?
Yes.
We all do.
As have the many before.
No-one ever...
What?
Well, decides not to go through with it.
Takes off.
Runs away.
There has been hesitation.
I bet.
We can be persuasive when the time comes.
I know what that means Look, I gotta tell you.
I don't understand this at all.
Where I come from, we value life more than almost anything else.
Lt Ford, he's just a year older than you.
Do you know what he would have missed out on if his life was over a year ago?
We're not all that different.
It's just that I would rather have 24 years of peace, than a life of fear.
What if there's another way.
Naturally, when the time comes.
The time comes.
Well of course it does, that's part of living a life.
I mean for me.
Tomorrows the first day of my 25th year.
Tomorrow?
Yes.
That's why I lead the council of elders.
I'm oldest among the 24's.
You mean tomorrow you um...
Tonight.
Tonight?
Our rule was put in place long ago, and it works.
It is not for me to question it.
Tonight I die.
How many?
Four.
They claim they're alone, but we can't be sure.
There may be more.
And you've given them time to repair the ship?
Against my strong objection, yes.
So this is Karris.
Who should be readying himself for sacrifice, not troubling with the full growns.
I will be the eldest by tomorrow, but that may be too late.
What do you want to do?
They came through the Wraith well, Louise.
If they stay, the Wraith may come back, and all our sacrifice may be for nothing.
This calls for action.
They must be forced to leave.
I need time to talk to the other villages.
We have little of it.
You know the laws, Aries.
It's bad enough we're leaving Karris out of this.
A forced sacrifice must be agreed upon, by all the villages.
Leave us!
Talk with who you need to talk.
I will give them until the end of this day to leave.
If they do not...
Hey, hey.
Coming through.
Thankyou.
What's that?
It's a compass What's that?
Used for determining direction, on Earth.
I'm using it to...
Where's Earth?
Listen, Cleo?
Casta Whatever.
Aren't you supposed to be observing.
Understand what that means?
Observing?
Observing?
It means you're supposed to watch.
You're supposed to stay out of my way and watch.
Why?
Because Because why?
Because I say so.
Why?
Because I can't get any work done, with you two buzzing around asking stupid questions, with your stupid little voices.
Now sit down and shut up!
Oh don't.
Don't.
You're mean Thankyou for finally noticing.
Ok, you wanna go?
You wanna go, huh?
Ok, ok, ok.
You've got a real gift with the kids, there.
Do you do birthday parties?
Look, I have a purpose here.
You deal with them.
Excuse me, thankyou.
It's ok.
It's ok.
He's just upset because you're smarter than him.
You guys know what chocolate is?
No?
This is gonna be huge.
Come on, we're gonna go over here, and we're gonna leave the mean old man alone.
Oh yeah.
Ok.
Hello hello.
Really Good.
Hmmm More?
Major!
McKay?
The radio's working.
Which is how I'm able to speak with you, yes.
You have a second?
Tell me you found the field generator.
I found the field generator.
Obviously the off switch.
Better than that.
The device is powered by a Zero Point Module.
It's definitely the Em field has been online for centuries.
As far as I know, only a ZPm is capable of powering it for that long.
I've shut it down.
Everything is working now.
You've disabled the shield?
Just temporarily.
I need to get the ZPM back to Atlantis.
See if it's worth taking.
We cannot just take it.
It is their only source of protection against the Wraith.
There's no evidence that the Wraith have been here in years.
Besides, this is a fully functioning ZPM.
We could bring them all back to Atlantis.
How hard could that be?
Hard, but, a ZPM could make a lot of problems go away.
Exactly, I need to get it back to a lab.
How do you plan on doing that?
Well I've had the gene innoculation and you've already given me a flying lesson.
It's gonna take more than a shot in the arm and a flying lesson.
Listen, I'm not gonna be dogfighting Wraith darts.
Ford and I can handle it.
All right.
Fine, you can go.
But get back to me before tonight?
We sort of have a deadline.
Right I think it is dangerous to leave the villages unprotected.
The kids got a point.
The Wraith haven't been around in a very long time.
This is reckless Major.
You must see that.
Common, what are the odds they're going to show up...
...in the few hours it takes McKay to run those tests?
Why were the guides sent back to the village?
Were they?
Yeah, they were.
Must have been nap time.
You think this is a joke, Sheppard?
I don't find much that's going on around here, to be funny.
What's wrong?
Two of the full growns are out on watch.
It's fine Aries.
You should be getting ready for tonight, Karris.
The cleansing ceremony is set to begin, and you haven't...
Fine!
I'll go ready myself.
What were they talking about?
He's supposed to sacrifice himself tonight.
Karris?
I tried to talk him out of it.
If we tell them about the field that protects their villages I'm working on that, but we can't do anything until we figure out what to do with the ZPM.
This is a very bad call Rodney Why?
You just told me that this ZPM empowers their defences against the Wraith.
Yep.
You don't see the problem with stealing it?
It wouldn't be stealing so much as...
Look if it's any good to us, we can bring them here.
Alright, for one We don't even know how many of them there are.
Well I highly doubt there'd be more than a few hundred.
What?
Hey, we're barely getting by here ourselves This is a big empty city, and we have the mainland now.
Rodney, we can't just visit planets, take away their defences, Look if it's any good to us, we can bring them here to Atlantis.
If they have a ZPM, yes we can.
Oh my god, how morally superior you must feel.
Elizabeth, they live in trees.
Atlantis would be a big step up for them.
Plus they could stop killing themselves for no good reason.
Are they killing themselves for no good reason?
Yes they are.
The EM shield is what's keeping the Wraith away.
Not the sacrificing.
Ok, you said that the sacrifices began at about the same time, you think the shield went online.
More or less So if the people that built the shield are the same people that implemented the suicide pact, perhaps the two things aren't as disconnected as you think.
Maybe.
One more day, that's all I need.
I'll have a much clearer picture then.
A picture of what?
Long story.
Stick around and I'll tell you.
I'll be honest with you Sheppard.
There's nothing I'd like more, than to spend more time talking with you.
But it's not possible.
What if you're wrong?
What if a day doesn't matter?
What if a year doesn't matter?
And what if it does?
I'd never rest peacefully knowing that I was the reason the Wraith came to this planet.
You could live a full life.
You're a warrior among your people.
One who is trained to defend and protect them.
I guess you could say that.
Would you not willingly give your life if it were necessary?
It'd have to be really necessary.
How is the sacrifice so different?
So this is just gonna go on forever.
As long as the Wraith don't return.
Yes.
Would you stand witness?
Me?
Well what do I have to do.
Just be there as I prepare.
We gather the strength from those close to us, for the sacrifice to come.
Dr Weir.
The bad news, is it looks like the device harnesses M7G677 unique electro magnetic field.
It probably wouldn't work for us.
Assuming we were considering stealing it.
Not much point to that either.
The ZPM is almost depleted.
So it's worthless?
I wouldn't say that.
It's enough to give us the shield at full power for a few hours, which would be handy if the Wraith were to attack.
Now it can continue what it's being doing for quite some time but...
So it's of more worth to them, than it is to us.
Probably.
Definitely!
Fine.
There's another thing.
Uh-huh?
I think I have a theory about the suicide pact.
Yeah, what is it?
I'm not sure how much power this thing had to start with, but whoever built the EM device, knew it wouldn't be able to power the field, large enough to cover the whole planet for very long.
So it was built to protect a smaller area.
More or less, the area around the villages.
But if the population got much larger than they are now, there's a chance the kids would move out of the field and become susceptible to a Wraith attack.
So the suicide pact is...
Population control.
Wow, that's a little severe.
A little?
The point is that they believe if they die in fear and turmoil, they don't get to go to their version of heaven.
Now while this, at the very least, guarantee's that they die in peace, it's a...
well it's a religion, and a pretty ridiculous one at that.
Well that's not a judgement that we can make for them.
No?
No No No, and I'd like you and Lt Ford to return the ZPM, and get their device back online.
Sheppard, it's McKay.
This is Teyla.
Major Sheppard is unavailable.
What does that mean?
Karris has asked him to take part in the cleansing ceremony.
That doesn't sound good.
Are you back?
Ford and I are back in the old city.
I'm just going to put the ZPM back.
Good, I'll let Major Sheppard know.
I've parked the Jumper outside the EM field, so we'll leave as soon as I've finished.
Teyla!
Major Sheppard has found a Wraith bracelet that has already begun transmitting.
We need that field returned, as soon as possible.
Stop him!
I'm sorry, I had to do that.
McKay.
We need it on, now!
Move!
I'm coming!
Well what are you waiting for?
That should be it.
That should be what?
Far be it for me to cause a panic.
What did you do?
What did you do?
I think there's the slightest possibility, that in my haste, I might have broken it.
How dare you defile our remembrance.
It was necessary.
Necessary?
You broke the laws, you must be punished.
It's not up to you Aries.
Neither is it up to you anymore.
You've had enough time.
You must fix your ship and go!
How long do they expect us to play chance with our lives?
Every second a full grown is in our village, is a second we are no longer safe from the Wraith.
They must leave now.
I'll take you to the well.
You're not safe here.
McKay and Ford are in the woods.
We'll pick them up on the way.
Has he put the ZPM back?
There's been a setback.
What did McKay do?
Friends!
Please!
The full growns have agreed to leave and never come back.
I will take them to the well, myself.
All this will be over soon, and we can get on with the ceremony.
Make sure they get there.
Please tell me you have this working.
I don't know what I did.
These things just usually plug and play.
This device must be using a different window.
Get to the point.
What I'm saying is, there is a sequence to installing a ZPM, that I haven't got yet.
None of that matters now, just grab what you can and come with me.
Aries will be sending men behind us.
What made the bracelet start broadcasting?
I do not think it was anything we did.
It's possible it was like an emergency beacon that activated when the dart crashed.
The EM field's been keeping it quiet ever since.
It must have begun transmitting as soon as McKay turned off the field.
Listen to me.
We have to move on now!
We cannot do that.
Karris, this is hard to explain, but we can't go anywhere till we fix this device.
We You'll just have to abandon your ship.
You're risking your lives if you stay.
This is not about our ship.
This is about the protection of your villages.
What?
Karris, the reason our ship went down.
The reason the Wraith dart crashed so long ago, is because of this device.
It renders all electro magnetic based technology inside the shield, inert.
I don't understand.
What they're saying is that the Wraith didn't stay away because of your sacrifices.
They stayed away because of this shield.
That can't be true.
It's not entirely true actually.
The shield doesn't protect the whole planet, it doesn't have enough power.
I believe the idea of the sacrifice, was brought in so that your society never left the confines of the shield.
Look, the sacrifices play a part in your survival, but not for the reasons you believe.
That's impossible.
I can prove it to you.
But you have to give us time to bring this device back online.
Karris is weak.
I doubt his oath to the sacrifice.
The full growns have clouded his judgement.
They've stopped in the old city and are not moving on.
Get the bows and the spears.
We will rid ourselves of them now, once and for all!
Coming through, coming through.
Excuse me.
Alright.
And again, still in the way, thankyou.
This will never work.
We don't have much of a choice.
This is not the well, Karris It's my fault.
We just received word from McKay, that our ship's just been repaired.
In fact, he's back there right now, waiting for us.
We were just saying goodbye to Karris.
You think I am a fool?
No.
I just think you're a little cranky.
Look!
If you want to escort us back to the ship, you can watch us leave.
Lead the way.
Oh, you scared me!
You scared us!
I'm sorry.
That's ok.
We came to see if you left any chocolate.
Yes, yes, of course.
What?
Oh, you want some.
Ok, well you can have this, but you gotta promise to let me work ok?
Ok.
All right.
Quietly.
Do you intend to leave McKay behind?
We'll circle around until he get's the device back on.
He'll show up.
It's too late.
We're too late!
What the hell was that?
It was too small to be a dart.
It was a probe of some kind.
Probably came to check out the signal from the Wraith bracelet.
We have to take it down before it gets back to the gate.
Boys?
Let us take that probe down, or we're all in deep trouble.
Even if you were able to destroy it, more will come That is not true Why do you think they're here Sheppard?
You.
The Wraith have sensed a crop worth harvesting, and they've come to claim it.
Karris, tell them, that we gotta take this thing down, before it get's back to the Stargate.
Where's the other full grown?
Aries, there's a device that shields us from the machines of the Wraith.
The sacrifices might have been...
He'll be in the old city, go!
Aries, listen to me.
You've let your fear of the sacrifice, put our entire people in danger, Karris.
You have been protected from the Wraith, by a shield.
We turned it off by accident.
But the good news is, that if we get it back up, the Wraith will never come again.
There's only one thing I have to do, to make sure the Wraith never come again.
Kill you.
Come on.
Somebody is coming.
What is this?
You must come with us now!
I can't do that.
Listen!
I need to finish my work here.
I've seen how the Wraith deal with other planets, and they don't care how old you are.
I need to get this device turned on, and I am so close to figuring it out.
So just give me one more shot.
Look, both of you.
Go to your rooms!
You're not buying this are you?
Hey, psst.
Come on, come on.
No.
Sir.
I don't like where this is headed.
Easy Ford.
Nobody's shooting just yet.
Yet...
And nobody's going to either.
Aries, you have no idea what you're up against here.
The weapons we carry are more powerful than any you have ever seen.
She's telling the truth.
They do more than make a lot of noise, they will kill you.
It works.
Of course it works.
I must tell Aries.
Come with us.
Hey, you guys ok?
Head back to the village, you're going to be fine.
Your presence has brought the Wraith.
All our ancestors sacrifices, you've undone!
All because you refused to leave when you were told to.
It's not that simple.
Yeah it is that simple Aries, no!
Karris!
Sir!
Hold your fire!
Look what you've done.
He's as guilty as you are.
Ford?
Ready sir.
We will defend ourselves.
And believe me, you don't want that.
Archers ready!
It works!
Aries!
It works!
The device works!
The device they speak of is real.
I've seen it.
What?
McKay fixed it and the Wraith bird fell right out of the sky.
That doesn't matter.
Aries!
It works.
You alright McKay?
Gotta catch my breath.
Get the medical kit from the jumper.
It'll be ok.
Was able to boost the coverage by over 50% without much of a power increase, so there should be enough for a sizeable population growth.
Thank you.
But you have no idea how long the shield will last?
There's no way of knowing, but there's a good chance you'll be grandparents before it goes.
We'll be happy to come back and check in on you every now and again.
In fact Ford will be happy to come back and explain how to be a 25 year old.
I'll look forward to it.
You'll have to get used to a few things, now that everything's changing around here.
But we can talk about that next time we visit.
Just promise me you'll stick around.
I will.
Have all the villages agreed to suspend the sacrifices?
It will require us to change some laws, but for now...
Yes.
Sir Oh right, here What's this?
Well where we're from, you get presents when you turn a year older.
See him, there.
Happy birthday.
There you go One for you.